Purim

Purim: The Four Mitzvot and the Story of Megillat Esther

Next: Monday evening, March 22, 202714 Adar II 5787In 128 days

Purim (14 Adar II 5787) falls this year on Tuesday, March 23, 2027, and begins on the evening of Monday, March 22. In Jerusalem it is kept a day later, on Shushan Purim (Mishnah Megillah 1:1).

On Purim we read the Megillah at night and again by day (Megillah 4a), and keep what Mordechai and Esther set down: "days of feasting and joy, and sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor" (Esther 9:22).

Purim falls on 14 Adar, and in a leap year it is celebrated in Adar II. It celebrates the rescue of the Jews of the Persian Empire from Haman's plan to destroy them, as told in Megillat Esther. The name of Hashem does not appear in the Megillah even once: the miracle was hidden inside events that looked natural, and that is the message of the day.

There are four mitzvot of Purim: hearing the Megillah at night and again in the day; mishloach manot, at least two ready-to-eat foods sent to a friend; matanot la'evyonim, gifts to at least two poor people; and a festive meal in the afternoon. The Fast of Esther is kept on 13 Adar, the day before Purim, and when that day is Shabbat it is moved to the Thursday before. Before Purim it is customary to give the half-shekel to charity.

Below you will find the story, the laws and ideas for a meaningful Purim.

Start here

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Tired of the same mishloach manot every year? This guide offers five creative, easy ideas that bring meaning, originality, and Purim joy to your giving.

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The Half-Shekel Tradition: What It Is, When to Give, and How Much

Your guide to the pre-Purim custom: who gives, how much to give, when to give it, and why it matters.

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Why Is Purim Celebrated on Different Days? The Laws of Megillah Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Purim 2027 (14 Adar II 5787) begins on the evening of Monday, March 22, and the day itself is Tuesday, March 23, 2027. Shushan Purim, kept in Jerusalem, falls on the following day. The dates for the next three years, with the Hebrew dates, are in the table on this page.

The Sages ruled that Purim is kept in the second Adar so that it is close to Passover, joining the redemption of Purim to the redemption from Egypt. The 14th of Adar I is called Purim Katan.

For mishloach manot, send at least two kinds of ready-to-eat food to at least one person. For matanot la'evyonim, give at least one gift of money or food to each of two poor people. The Rambam writes that it is better to give more to the poor than to spend more on the meal and on mishloach manot.

Men and women alike are obligated to hear the Megillah, at night and again during the day, and every word must be heard. Children are brought to hear it as part of their education.

In cities that were walled at the time of Yehoshua bin Nun, Purim is celebrated on 15 Adar, as in Shushan, where the fighting lasted a day longer. Today this applies to Jerusalem.